INTRODUCTION

In-situ tests mean any testing that is done in field with direct result which difficult to
obtain undisturbed of sample, additionally to determine parameters at real condition such as
bearing capacity of soil, water table, setting depth and many more.
One of the most common Geotechnical in-situ is JKR Probe Test. JKR Probe test is
light dynamic penetrometer used to in preliminary site investigation to find the undrained
shear strength (indirectly through correlations) and consistency of the subsoil. This method is
also effective identifying localized soft or weak material or slip plane. However, the major
limitation of the method is shallow depth.
The JKR probe is a lightweight and portable penetrometer. Mackintosh probe which is
has 30 while JKR probe has 60 cone penetration. This is a light dynamic test and the cone is
driven directly into the soil by driving hammer by free hand. It is considerably faster and
cheaper tool that boring equipment especially when depth of exploration is moderate and the
soil under investigate are soft and loose.

OBJECTIVE
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

To determine soil classification.

To determine physical properties of soil.
Learn how to handle in-situ probe mackintosh test.
Collect data the number of hammer drop per 30 cm of depth.
Sketch the graph to determine classification of soil.

TESTING LOCATION LAYOUT PLAN

APPARATUS
NO
1.

PICTURE
A series of 1.2m steel bar / rod

2.

A hammer which attached to bar

head

3.

Measuring tape

NAME OF APPARATUS

4.

Marking chalk

5.

Wire brush

6.

Oil grease spray

PROCEDURE
5

NO
1.

PROCEDURE
Select the location and
site clearing work:

2.

DETAIL WORK

Study the work area first to

known the type of soil before
select the location.
(it could be clay or sandy)
Clear the top of grass by using
hoe with square per area
(0.5m x 0.5m)

Installation the equipment.

Take the equipment.

Every rod is clear by wire brush.
The rod and hammer was joined

using the rod coupling.

Spray the oil grease at each
coupling road for an easy

dissembles latter.
Every rod is marked by chalk
every 0.30 m.

3.

Hammer work:

4.

The equipment was set up

vertically on the ground.
Attached the hammer in the bar
head.
Start applying hammer drop, by
raises the hammer until the top
hammer touching the guard
steel.
The hammer was dropped freely
to driven the cone into the soils.
Count the hammer drop until the
bar penetrate 0.30m as marked
in the probe rod.
As the penetration rod reach
1.2m, the second rod should be
attached to pervious bar.
The blow will stop when the
blow count is more than 400
blows for 0.3m penetration.
After the 3rd rod was
successfully driven into soil, the
rod was pulled out using the
lifting tool.
The equipment was dissembled
and cleaned before storing.

Collect data:

The sum of the number of blows

for each penetration of 0.30m

was recorded in data sheet.

Plot the blow hammer in every
0.30 against depth of
penetration.

RESULT & DATA ANALYSIS

7

JKR / Mackintosh Probe Data Form:

Depth (m)
0.30
0.60
0.90
1.20
1.50
1.80
2.10
2.40
2.70
3.00

No of Blow / 0.3m
146
181
152
120
95
36
20
23
25
15

Prepared by:

Verified by:

Name:

Name:

1) MUHAMMAD REDZUAN BIN

1) PUAN ZAHARAH BIN MAMAT

ABDUL RAHMAN.
2) MUHAMMAD ZAHRIN BIN
KASIM @ KASSIM.
3) MOHAMMAD ZAKI IBRAHIM
BIN SANUSI.
Date :

Date :

DISCUSSION
8

JKR PROBE MACKINTOSH TEST:

In our observation this test is carried out in preliminary site investigation before
construction project is initial to get determination of shallow bedrock profile.
In additional, the advantages of this testing is the small size and lightweight device
that causes the work easily to handle and quick to get direct result at any places. The
disadvantages is low impact energy because only penetrated in shallow soil (limited depth).
Human errors are also prone in this method such as wrong counting, non-consistent
drop height and exerting force to the drop hammer giving misleading results. This error is due
because the human force is difference each others. From our recommendation, we must use
one-person human force to get consistent hammer drop.
When using of light dynamic penetrometer (JKR or Mackintosh) some precautionary
measures to prevent errors in testing. Firstly, drop the hammer should be a free fall and
consistent drop hammer. Secondly, components and apparatus properly washed and oiled to
easily assembled.

CONCLUSION
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From the JKR probe result data form we are plot the graph the number of blow / 0.3m
against the depth. We are concluding the graph is divide into 3 stages of soil of type category
according the properties of soil.
Firstly, is hard soil layer category. The soil colour is red. This is preliminary soil when
penetrate the rod into soil ground. From the graph we known the depth of hard layer is
between from 0.3 m to 0.6 m. The number is blow is increase from 146 to 181 because its
contain rock and boulder that need more human force and longer time to penetrate the into
soil. The low moisture contains also influence the number of blow at this layer because this
soil layer is dry.
The consistency soil second layer is very stiff. Finger pressure barely dents soil but
cracks under significant pressure. From the graph the depth is between from 0.6 m to 1.5 m
and the blow is decrease from 181 to 95. From the rod probe we can see the soil colour is
yellowish and more easy to penetrate than hard layer because contain sand and gravel.
The consistency soil third layer is very soft that soil flows between fingers when fist
is closed. This layer is take less time to penetrate because this layer is overall containing clay
type soil that more easily to penetrate. From our observation we can see the brown dark
colour at rod and cone penetrometer.

REFERENCE
10

1. Site Investigation (DCC 3013), Edition 2016, Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara Sri
Gading.

11

APPENDIX

Wash the peat soil

3 JKR probe lifting from

ground

A picture with teammates after finish the work

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